A record number of teams are vying for the world mixed doubles curling title ©WCF

Russia will seek a successful defence of their World Mixed Curling Championship title when the third edition of the event is due to begin in Champéry in Switzerland tomorrow.

A record number of 38 countries are due to compete in five groups at the World Curling Federation-run event in the Palladium de Champéry,

This includes Luxembourg and Hong Kong, who are making their debuts.

Russia beat Sweden 5-4 after an extra end in a dramatic finale to last year's event in Kazan.

They are drawn in Group A alongside Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Japan, Slovenia and Wales.

Sweden, the silver medallists at the inaugural event in Bern in 2015, play in Group B alongside United States, Belarus, Brazil, France, Italy and Latvia.

Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand and defending bronze medallists Scotland are drawn in Group C.

Russia beat Sweden to win the 2016 World Mixed Curling Championships title ©WCF
Russia beat Sweden to win the 2016 World Mixed Curling Championships title ©WCF

Norway, the 2015 winners, join hosts Switzerland in Group D along with Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hong Kong, Israel and Slovakia.

Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, Netherlands, Poland and Turkey complete the lineup in Group E.

Action will start tomorrow and continue until October 14.

Each team consists of two male and two female players.

Round-robin competition is due to take place until next Tuesday (October 12) before knock-out action begin.